ALBERT JOHNSON / Special to SignOnSanDiego Sheriff's officials walk behind crime scene tape at the apartment complex.

FALLBROOK – Sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating the death of a 73-year-old woman whose body was found on the floor of her apartment early Thursday morning.

Deputies were called to the complex on Potter Street off East Fallbrook Street shortly after midnight by someone who asked that they check on the woman, said sheriff's Lt. Dennis Brugos.

Once inside, deputies found her body in the living room of the small apartment underneath what looked like an overturned bookcase that had the shelves taken out, Brugos said.

“It appears she may have been dead for days,” the lieutenant said. 'I think it's been a while.'

Deputies found no evidence of forced entry into the first-floor apartment and it did not appear that anything had been taken, Brugos said.

The body had signs of trauma and authorities believe her death is a homicide. The lieutenant did not know if any weapons were found in the unit or how she was killed.

Investigators are checking into who made the call that alerted them to the body, believing that person may have some pertinent information as to what happened. Deputies are also talking with neighbors to see if anyone saw or heard anything.

The woman, who lived alone at the apartment, has not yet been identified, Brugos said.

---